The year 2023 has begun and the Indian auto industry is ready to start the new year with a bang. The month of January is filled with multiple launches and events, including the Delhi Auto Expo 2023, which is making a comeback this year 3 years. As for new launches, from SUVs to electric cars to luxury cars, the industry will witness the arrival of more than 10 new cars arrive this month, and here's the full list.
New MG Hector
Morris Garages India will launch the new Hector SUV in January 2023, and it will likely be one of the first cars to go on sale in the new year. The new Hector will come with a host of visual updates, along with new features and technologies. MG already revealed the new Hector's cabin earlier this year, which brings a cleaner design and a new 14-inch touchscreen. Engine options have yet to be confirmed, though we expect the Hector's facelift to continue with the current model's 2.0-litre factory diesel and 1.5-litre petrol engines.
Mahindra Thar 2WD
Mahindra will also introduce a 2WD version of the Thar this year, with the SUV likely to go on sale in India later this month. According to the leaked photos and videos, the SUV has already arrived at some dealerships, indicating an imminent launch. Now this is simply a variable addition to the Thar range, however the SUV will come with new engines including a smaller 1.5-litre diesel. More details about the SUV will be released at the time of its launch.
Mahindra XUV400
In January 2023, Mahindra is also expected to launch the all-electric XUV400. Based on the fossil fuel-powered XUV300, which is already on sale in India, the Mahindra XUV400 electric SUV will come with revised styling and styling along with a slightly larger footprint on its subcompact sibling. The all-electric XUV400 is powered by a 148 horsepower electric motor paired with a 39.4 kWh battery. The electric motor has a maximum torque output of 310 Nm and can propel the SUV to 100 km/h in 8.3 seconds. Mahindra claims that the XUV400 will have a range of up to 456km per charge and will come equipped with a single pedal drive feature. Mahindra will launch the all-electric SUV in January 2023 with deliveries to start later in the same month.
Hyundai IONIQ 5
Hyundai India will also launch its flagship electric SUV, the IONIQ 5, this month at the 2023 Auto Expo. The IONIQ 5 is built on the E-GMP platform, which also powers the Kia EV6. Globally, the IONIQ 5 is offered in two variants: the 58 kWh battery pack version available in a rear-wheel drive configuration, and the larger 72.6 kWh battery pack model with the all-wheel drive option. We expect the latter to only show up in India. We already brought you our exclusive review of the Hyundai IONIQ 5, which you can find on the car&bike website.
Citroen C3 Electric
Citroen will also bring its first electric car this year, the ëC3 Electric hatchback, and we expect it to arrive in January 2023. It will be the company's first electric car in India, and we bring you exclusive information that it will be so. It was launched in India before March 2023. Like the regular gasoline C3, the electric hatchback will also be built locally. While the automaker hasn't revealed much yet, according to spy photos, the ëC3 Electric will look similar to the gasoline-powered C3, except for a few new design elements specific to electric vehicles. At the moment, there is no information on the technical specifications of the electric vehicle, and we believe that it is too early to speculate on anything.
Mercedes-AMG E 53 Cabriolet 4Matic +
Among the luxury car brands, Mercedes-Benz India will be the first to launch a model in 2023, the Mercedes-AMG E 53 Cabriolet 4Matic+. The performance-spec convertible will launch on January 6 and will come as a fully built (CBU) model. The new generation Mercedes-AMG E53 Cabriolet 4Matic+ will arrive in its most powerful avatar, powered by an inline six-cylinder twin-turbo petrol engine, assisted by the electric motor. The engine will generate 429hp and 520Nm or peak torque, including 21hp and 249Nm coming from the integrated starter generator.
BMW X1
The new generation of the BMW X1 made its world debut last year and the Bavarian automaker is preparing to launch the SUV in India this month. Compared to it predecessor, the new generation X1 has grown in size and will come with a new design and design. The interior is also in keeping with BMW's latest compact cars, with a separate display that stretches from behind the wheel to the center console that houses the digital instrument cluster and touchscreen infotainment.
BMW 3 Series Gran Limousine Facelift
BMW India is also gearing up to launch a slew of new models in January, which includes the 2023 3 Series Gran Limousine facelift. The upcoming sedan comes with refreshed styling and styling along with an updated and more luxurious cabin. The updated 3 Series has a sharper design with a more prominent grille and reshaped headlights and bumpers, while the cabin now follows the styling seen on the BMW i4 with a separate curved screen that sits above the instrument panel housing instrument cluster and infotainment touchscreen. In terms of engines, expect the updated car to come with a pair of four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines. The cars will be launched during the BMW Joy Town event, on January 7, 2023.
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BMW 7 Series and i7
BMW is set to bring the new generation of its flagship limousine, the 7 Series to India this month and the vehicle will arrive with all-electric and internal combustion specifications. In addition to the new design and appearance, BMW has placed a noticeable emphasis on technology, particularly in the interior of the cabin. The new dash features a separate display that houses a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 14.9-inch touchscreen, and touch-sensitive controls to replace the physical buttons on the center console. The highlight at the rear is the optional 31.3-inch 8k cinema screen that extends to the roof and each passenger also has a touch screen integrated into the doors to control the car's functions. Engine-wise, we expect the next-gen 7 Series to come with a pair of inline-six petrol and diesel engines with the all-electric i7 also on the cards.
BMW X7 facelift
The BMW X7 received a mid-life update in 2022 with updated engines, styling, and more technology. The revised front end is styled in keeping with the new 7 Series with the SUV now including mild hybrid technology across all engine options. Inside, the cabin features the latest BMW iDrive system along with a one-piece curved screen that houses the digital instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch touchscreen. Expect engine options to include a pair of six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, though BMW could also offer the performance-focused M60i.
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